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Kirk Whalum

with special guest Nicole Henry

Fundraiser to benefit the DNS Scholarship Fund

Friday, May 4 | 8:00 pm

Soulful, passionate, stirring...these are the words often used to describe Kirk Whalum’s music. Great jazz composers as well as classic soul music influence his big, rich tenor saxophone sound, forged from his Memphis gospel roots. Concert audiences can expect an exciting journey through jazz, pop, soul, gospel and beautiful love songs! The Kirk Whalum Romance Language Tour celebrates the Valentine’s Day 2012 release of the new Whalum brothers’ collaboration, Romance Language. A perfect evening of romance and joy Kirk says, “These performances will be sure to please.”

In a career spanning decades, Kirk has a sound that is uniquely his. It is a sound that leaves an indelible imprint on the listener. A 2011 Grammy-Award winner, Kirk Whalum is the recipient of numerous awards and acknowledgements for his musical excellence including three Dove Award nominations, and NAACP Image Award

Kirk is known for his award-winning collaborations with artists such as Bob James, Barbara Streisand, Al Jarreau, Luther Vandross, Quincy Jones and most notably, Whitney Houston. (That is Kirk Whalum’s sax heard on the mega-hit, “I Will Always Love You.”) His repertoire includes his own renditions of hits by Babyface, Donny Hathaway, Stevie wonder and more.

An ordained minister, Kirk has earned his Masters of Art in Religion. It is in this spirit that he serves his community, frequently performing at nursing homes, schools and missions. There is also his daily fifteen-minute podcast, Bible in Your Ear (BIYE), in which he invites you to listen along as he reads through the Bible in a year. In addition to music and ministry, Kirk has a passion to educate young, aspiring musicians and as such, he currently serves as President/CEO of the STAX Music Academy and the STAX Museum of American Soul Music in his hometown of Memphis, TN.